BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb will host another key Big South Conference men's basketball game on Saturday, February 2, when UNC Asheville rolls into town for a 3:00 pm tip.

Gardner-Webb (13-9, 3-4 Big South) has beaten UNC Asheville (3-19, 1-7 Big South) just four times since joining the Big South Conference as a full member in 2008-2009 and split with the eventual regular season champion last season – falling in overtime on the road and taking a 72-61 win in Paul Porter Arena.

The Runnin' Bulldogs stayed hot at home on Wednesday night, using a 10-0 run midway through the second half to pull away – then hold off – High Point for a 69-67 win. Head coach Tim Craft's team has gone 8-0 on its home court this season and has won 20 of its last 22 in Boiling Springs.

The three-point shot was a factor on Wednesday night, as GWU made 12-of-24 from the arc to improve to 7-1 this season when making at least 10 from long distance. Four men in the projected starting five for Gardner-Webb – David Efianayi, Nate Johnson, Jose Perez and Christian Turner – are each shooting above 40 percent on the season from deep.

Efianayi (17.6 ppg), Perez (15.8 ppg), Laster (12.9 ppg) and Johnson (10.0 ppg) also continue to average in double figures this season – as Gardner-Webb's team scoring average hovers near 80 points per game.

UNC Asheville came into the 2018-2019 season with a nearly brand new roster after losses to graduation and transfer. First-year head coach Mike Morrell has quietly molded four freshmen starters into a competitive team, with several close losses in league play finally paying off with a big win vs. USC Upstate on Wednesday night in Kimmel Arena.

Three of those freshmen, guard DeVon Baker (16.6 ppg), stretch four man Coty Jude (10 ppg) and wing Tajion Jones (9.5 ppg) lead the Bulldogs in scoring this season. Baker is the league's top scoring freshmen to date and has bumped his average to 17.5 points per game against Big South foes.

If recent history is any indicator, Saturday's game should be tight and entertaining. Three of the previous four meetings between the two schools have been decided by five points – including last season's overtime affair in Kimmel Arena.

Tickets for Saturday's game are available at the door. For more information, call Gardner-Webb athletics at (704) 406-4340.